Toyota Land Cruiser 70 rereleased in Japan for 1 year

A diehard Land Cruiser fan living in Japan and looking for a box-fresh 70-series model? Well, your prayers have been answered: the Toyota Land Cruiser 70 has been rereleased in the Land of the Rising Sun for about a year – sales there having terminated 10 years ago – to celebrate the model’s 30th anniversary.

In 1984, the heavy-duty 70-series model was produced to replace the 40-series model as the main Land Cruiser line split off as a more spacious and comfortable SUV. That line has progressed to the Land Cruiser 200 and Prado models we know today, but the 70-series model has soldiered on as a separate harder-working workhorse that is still being offered in places like Australia, Africa and the Middle East.

The ol’ girl has been under the knife since it was discontinued in Japan, with a radically different front fascia and interior, but elsewhere much remains the same. These new models will feature commemorative badging on the front fenders, as well as a leather key case and a leather maintenance record holder.

A 1GR-FE 4.0 litre VVT-i V6 is the sole engine offering, producing 231 PS and 360 Nm. Power is sent through a five-speed manual to a part-time four-wheel drive system with a dual-mode automatic locking hub. Combined fuel consumption is rated at an astounding 6.6 km per litre (no, that’s not a typo).

The specifications read like they come from another era (because they did), not least of which being the safety features consisting of just dual airbags and ABS. There are, however, a couple of optional extras aimed at hardcore off-road drivers, these being a powered winch and front and rear electric differential locks.

Two body variants will be offered for this rerelease – a four-door wagon and a double-cab pickup, the latter appearing in Japan for the first time and capable of hauling up to 600 kg of cargo. The wagon will cost 3,600,000 yen (RM109,000), with the pickup slightly cheaper at 3,500,000 yen (RM106,000).

In addition, Toyota is also introducing special edition versions of the regular Land Cruiser 200 and Prado, called the Bruno Cross and Argento Cross respectively. The former features “super chrome” metallic paint, aluminium wheels, nappa leather seats and plated side mirrors, while the latter gets silver-and-black seats and roof rails, dark metallic grey wheels and a geometric instrument panel.

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

Would you look at that dashboard. Such throwback! The legacy of a more adventurous era when SUVs were made to take on the roughest of roughs, carving new paths in places where no 4 wheeled beast has gone before.

Its old, its outdated, it can be easily bought for HALF the price in the used car dealers……But why do I so want one.

I think the problem is, purpose off-roaders like the Land Cruiser 70, The original Mitsubishi Pajero, Defender and the Suzuki Jimmy are getting rarer and rarer. You can’t get much lightweight, go anywhere, fix-with-a-hammer machine nowadays like you can 30 years ago, and thats why I welcome the Land Cruiser 70 with open hands.

I had a recon Prado for over 20 years and sold it to a good friend over a year ago. I must say it had given me anxious moment when the engine refused to start or just died on the road with a few perennial problems with fuel pump, overheating etc. Still wonderful memories as it took us to so many places here in Sarawak. Now got a Pajero Sport VGT and with new technology in the engine department it’s a different world all together.

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